Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

126 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will publish the Disabilities Bill; if he will consider publishing the proposed heads of the Bill to allow discussion on its final content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22031/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The Government has made a commitment in its legislative programme to publish a Disabilities Bill. This Bill will be a major positive action measure aimed at enhancing and underpinning the ability of people with disabilities to participate more fully in everyday life. Wide-ranging consultation with agencies, organisations and interest groups associated with the disability sector was undertaken in the latter part of last year in tandem with research and analysis of relevant national and international legislation. Consultation with Departments is ongoing with a view to publication of the Bill before the Christmas recess.

I have already stated in the House that the legislation I envisage necessitates time and thought and that any lesser effort on my part would be to short-sell people with disabilities. I have made no secret of the broad thrust of the Bill and the areas of activity being considered, including use of transport and access to public bodies and services. In view of the comprehensive consultation process that has already taken place and the fact that I indicated at its outset the broad thrust of the measures being considered, it would not be my intention to engage in any major consultations at the heads of Bill stage. Ample opportunity will be available to study the detailed provisions of the Bill on its publication and passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Disabilities Bill will be the fourth piece of major legislation relating to disability equality to be introduced by the Government and has been progressed in the context of the legislative and infrastructural framework for equality which the Government has put in place. The Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the Equal Status Act, 2000, prohibit discrimination on nine specified grounds, including that of disability in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services. The Equality Authority and Director of Equality Investigations, established to implement this legislation, are now fully operational. The National Disability Authority Act, 1999, provides for the establishment of the National Disability Authority as a statutory agency dedicated to disability policy and practice and is also fully operational. These Acts, and the support structures that they have established, have led to tangible and widely recognised improvements for people with disabilities in the areas concerned. The Disabilities Bill will further reinforce the principles of disability equality and greatly consolidate the strides made by the Government in creating a full framework for their implementation.